Synagogues Adjust Ticket Policies For High Holy Days

By Josef Kuhn
Religion News Service

(RNS) The sputtering economy is fueling changes in synagogues' ticketing policies and marketing strategies for their annual High Holy Days services.

Synagogues typically require annual memberships or a fee to attend services over the High Holy Days, which start Wednesday (Sept. 28) with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and continue through the end of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, on Oct. 8

But this year, some Jewish communities are trying new approaches to bring in financially distressed Jews and those who feel little connection to Jewish life.

"You're starting to see more synagogues going for the free model," said Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesman for Chabad, a traditionalist Orthodox movement that uses Jewish holidays as an outreach to lapsed Jews.

Tickets to High Holy Days services can cost between $100 and $200, and annual membership for a family can top $2,000.

One Chabad congregation in Yorba Linda, Calif., mailed free High Holy Days tickets to 2,500 families. The mailings targeted those who likely would not attend services otherwise.

Rabbi David Eliezrie, the leader of the Yorba Linda congregation, said his group has always done some advertising, but never before mailed out tickets. The tickets invite families to register online for reserved seats at High Holy Days services, free of charge.

"There's no question that the economic environment has become an inhibitor for people to become more involved with the Jewish community," said Eliezrie.

A synagogue an hour north of New York City also mailed out free tickets, and is advertising through lawn signs that say "High Holidays On Us." A companion TV commercial features a "welcoming message" from talk show host Larry King.

"People have been calling, people have been thanking," said Rabbi Shmuel Gancz of the Chabad Jewish Center of Suffern, N.Y. "It's been tremendous."

Gancz spoke of one woman who had lost a job with a six-figure salary and wasn't able to afford a synagogue membership anymore. Receiving a free ticket in the mail prompted her to return to the High Holy Days services for the first time in four years.

Seligson said there has been a "spike in interest" this year in the free High Holy Days services listed on a searchable database on Chabad.org. But financial barriers are not the only reason Jews might stay away from High Holy Days services, Eliezrie said.

"We're dealing here with a confluence of different issues: an economic challenge, (and) a modern Jew who knows less about their tradition and who doesn't feel that same kind of cultural, emotional, historical and spiritual connection as in the past," he said.

Recognizing that "sometimes people are not very comfortable with going to a synagogue," Rabbi Yisrael Kugel of Chabad's West Side Center for Jewish Life is offering a free service in Manhattan's Central Park where people can hear the shofar, a traditional ram's horn blown during High Holy Days services.

While many of the free offerings are being hosted by Chabad centers, they aren't the only Jewish communities that are changing their High Holy Days business models.

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism sponsors a program called "Come Home for the Holidays" that offers free High Holy Days tickets at congregations around the world to "young adults who grew up in the Conservative Movement."

Temple Shalom, a Reform congregation in suburban Washington, has family-oriented Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur afternoon services that don't require tickets.

For the past several years, Temple Shalom has offered complementary tickets to all High Holy Days services to "anyone who meets with Temple Shalom clergy to discuss personal Jewish needs and goals."

Although High Holy Days tickets are a main source of funds for most synagogues, Eliezrie and Seligson said that open services also can be a financially viable path.

When fees are made optional, Seligson said, people who can afford it might contribute even more, because they want to support "this kind of open environment."

"The old business model is not necessarily the one that's going to work nowadays," said Eliezrie. "We don't have membership. We just thought we'd get rid of that whole thing."

Comments

[hfpf]

04:57 AM on 10/03/2011

NO ONE has ever been turned away from a synagogue.

[Madelon Jonas]

07:56 AM on 09/30/2011

I have attempted to explain this practice to my husband who grew up in an Orthodox family (versus my own traditional Reform upbringing.

Tickets are required to ensure that there are seats for everyone. As already expressed by many here, the High Holidays traditionally mean a large number of people attending a service or services with a congregation they are not typically affiliated. Aside from the additional costs involved, there is an issue of actual physical capacity. Tickets ensure that those who are members of a congregation have a place to daven or pray with those who have made a commitment to be a part of the community. My dues help with the upkeep of the building and facility along with the costs that are incurred to keep everything running. This includes the salaries of the staff (office, security and clergy), supplies, utilities and more. Those who are not affiliated with the congregation make a choice not to be a part of this and by securing a seat for the holidays, the cost of the ticket helps with these costs. Unlike other religions, synagogues do not receive money from a governing body. All funds come from dues, tickets from the High Holidays, and other fundraising efforts (parties, renting out the space to schools, candy sales, etc.).

While I have understood and accepted the model used in the past when it comes to High Holiday services, I am pleased to see the outreach that is being noted in this article.

[Madelon Jonas]

08:05 AM on 09/30/2011

I can only speak from my own experiences . . . Every congregation I have been a part of (again -- always through the Reform movement) has held community services for the High Holidays. This includes the children's service as well as Yitzkor (memorial services). As a young adult, when my mother was very ill and my family was having serious financial issues I went to the synagogue to discuss our situation and the fact that we had no money for our tickets that year. Upon my arrival to the office I found out I had just missed the Rabbi. He was on the way to our home with tickets for everyone. We had done our part for years. Now our community made sure we were taken care of.

I grew up in an age where parents made religion a priority by dropping us off to Hebrew school and making sure the kids were involved in youth group. Now as a parent myself, I choose to show the importance of our faith not by making it something our son does, but instead, something we do as a family.

[eva07]

08:54 PM on 09/30/2011

You obviously didn't read the comments that explain it.
Synagogues are independent, their only income is from membership dues, they pay their bills and the rabbi from that. Part of the benefit of membership are free tickets.
At the High Holidays they get a lot more people that they can accommodate so mostly they have to rent huge facilities. To pay for it they charge for the tickets for non-members, but if you call them and ask for free tickets, you can get them.
Plus there are organizations like Chabad and Jewish Community Centers that have free services.

[Relpo Miraculous]

04:05 AM on 09/29/2011

The comments section for this rather pointless article is an abject lesson in the roots of antisemitism.

[enderM]

11:40 AM on 09/29/2011

how sad. there is no other religion or people that are chastised mercilessly for every single thing.
wether it be a church who passes around a plate/basket, or j000z who instead have a membership, isn't it all, at the end of the day, all the same thing?
it is people who are donating to their own house of worship to keep that house of worship alive,
regardless the method.
it is beyond sad that such petty knit picking take place, as just another way to put down j000z and judaism.
as always, 'they' are allowed….'we' are not….

L'shana Tova…health and happiness to you.

[phillyfreedom]

11:35 PM on 09/28/2011

Comparing tithing to "annual fees" is like comparing apples and oranges. Non-tithers still get to attend Church services - whenever they please. So, one could have never place a PENNY in the collection basket, yet get to attend church several days a week - whenever services are going on. No one gets special treatment or "special seating." And you can bring ALL your friends!! So, come again.

[eva07]

02:33 AM on 09/29/2011

It is the same for synagogues, except on the High holidays when they are overrun and can't seat the people. And even for that you can get free tickets.
How do churches pay their bills and mortgages and their pastors?

[phillyfreedom]

08:25 AM on 09/29/2011

@ Eva07

Churches pay bills, mortages, and pastors the usual way - donations, fundraisers, collection basket. The point is - those who do not have anything to donate or put in the basket are not penalized for it. They can be actual members (with extended family in tow) rather than be considered only welcome on "high holidays." And again, they can sit anywhere they wish in the church. No one is given a golden throne simply because they're in a position to donate more. One dollar is as appeciated in the basket as two-hundred dollars - the idea being that you give what you can.

[enderM]

10:52 AM on 09/29/2011

i have gone numerous times to a catholic church with my spouse…
in one 'mass'….the bucket was passed around 5 times.
so is that not 'paying your way' as well?

just like church members who gladly put $$ in the basket to keep the church going…
so do j000z contribute to keep synagogue going….so in a different way….
what is the difference at the end of the day?

[phillyfreedom]

05:10 PM on 09/29/2011

@ender M

You Said: Just like church members who gladly put $$ in the basket to keep the church going…
so do j000z contribute to keep synagogue going….so in a different way….
what is the difference at the end of the day?
____________________________________________

Apparently, the difference is 3-4 thousand per year - depending on what region of the country you live in. You cannot compare putting 2-3 dollars in a basket every week to paying out several thousand dollars a year. I see you suddenly bring in a Catholic spouse. Whatever!!

[erehwon2]

11:37 AM on 09/29/2011

You're speaking out of ig.norance and big.otry.

First of all, dues to a congregation are based on ability to pay. No one is turned away for lack of funds. High Holy Days differ only in that the demand for attendance is especially high and space is limited so the ticket system insures that members (paid or not) will be able to attend, and others (paid or not) are allowed as space permits.

As for having to be "born into" it, there are multiple members of my family who were born Christian and, converted or not, have always been very welcome in congregations we've attended.

I suspect you're not interested in truth, though, if it doesn't fit in with your big.oted notions.

[enderM]

11:43 AM on 09/29/2011

like so many others, brooklyn is only interested in ways to chastise and disparage
j000z.
what an absolutely sad sad sad individual.

L'Shana Tova…health and happiness to you and yours.

[sugarcreekchile]

07:09 PM on 09/28/2011

Churches have a means of financing their places of worship and clergymen. Not all do it the same way. For example, televangelists rely on donations sent in and pay themselves a salary, build themselves houses, buy cars, etc.

"Synagogues do not pass around collection plates during services. Traditionally, this is because Jews are not permitted to carry money on Holy days and Shabbat. Instead, synagogues are financed through membership dues paid annually, through voluntary donations, through community fundraisers, and through the purchase of reserved seats for services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (the holidays when the synagogue is most crowded).

There are two primary approaches to synagogue dues. Some congregations set a fixed fee based on membership categories. Other congregations base dues on a small percentage (often 2%) of one's income. There are two important factors to note about synagogue dues: (1) they are often less, overall, than the donations done in some churches that have a policy of tithing 10%; (2) they are often negotiable through the membership committee if one is unable to pay, and such negotiation are kept private. People are not turned away because of ability to pray."

One shouldn't be critical of the Jewish model just because it is different. There are
lax parishioners in all religions. In Christian churches, church attendance peaks at Christmas and Easter. They're filled with people who haven't gone to church all year.

[enderM]

10:54 AM on 09/29/2011

exactly.

but i guess christian religions are allowed to ask for money however they want…
but G_d forbid…j000z give money in their own way to the synagogue.

at the end of the day….it is all the same…people contribute and donate to their houses of worship….one way or another.

[BoudiccaBlanc]

04:21 PM on 09/28/2011

People,

Synagogues are independent; much like many small Christian churchs (non-denominational). In both of these types of insititutions; the members of the congregation pay for the building, salaries, upkeep, etc.

During the times when large assemblies occur (Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, Easter, Christmas) often additional expenses are incurred (sometimes a larger facility is rented to accomodate everyone).

Christians are encouraged to "tithe" to their church ("tithe" means 10%). Jews have "synagogue memberships" and and Muslims have "Zakat" as donational norms for their members.


My gripe is: "If God only asks for 10% why does the government insist on taking +25%" ???

[brooklyncitizen]

10:27 PM on 09/28/2011

tithing or not tithing doesn't decide if you get to attend services especially on the holiest days; tithing is anonymous

[eva07]

02:38 AM on 09/29/2011

All the money the he synagogues have are from memberships and they have to rent facilities for the holidays, they charge for the tickets. You can call them and tell them you can't afford it, and usually you get free tickets. Plus there are organizations that provide free services.

[caprawalie]

02:06 PM on 09/28/2011

As a descendant of jews who never set foot in a synagogue, I am happy about the savings I have made over the years...jeez

[eva07]

09:05 PM on 09/30/2011

Whatever makes you happy, but if you belong to any club or organization most likely you will have membership fee too.

[fear82794]

12:42 PM on 09/28/2011

Many Jews who belong to a synagogue in the states often pay for an annual membership. These fees go to paying the obvious bills, the salary and housing of the Rabbi and sometimes Cantor, and other needs. The Rabbi, not promising a life of chastity and poverty, does earn a wage as he must provide for his family, etc. Rabbis and other "employees" of the synagogue offer a wide range of other services including wedding ceremonies for their congregants, funeral services, etc. This article is a little misleading because many American Jews are Reform or Conservative and seldom attend the synagogue except for the High Holidays. These days are PACKED to full capacity with just about every congregant in attendance. Your family is usually given tickets at the beginning of the year included with the membership. I was not aware of this payment "only for the tickets" issue, but there are congregations that are absolutely free to make use of including, Chabad Houses.
Take this chance to insult Judaism all you want about whichever stereotypes you prefer. But synagogues often devote an extremely large portion of their memberships to charities that are not only Jewish-based organizations. Most synagogues operate in a non-profit manner. Whatever profits they do make, either go right back into the Synagogue, e.g. memberships for the less fortunate, scholarships to Hebrew school, expansions. or otherwise given to charity. Some of you really are really hateful.
To the others, Shana Tova! Happy New Year!

[enderM]

11:48 AM on 09/29/2011

f&f

[erehwon2]

11:43 AM on 09/28/2011

Unlike most Christian/Catholic churches, there is no central authority and no outside source of funding. Each Jewish congregation is independent and must fend for itself financially. They do this through membership dues which are based on ability to pay. No plate is passed around during services. No one is turned away due to lack of money and for most services, one needn't be either a member nor ticket holder to attend.

The High Holy Days are different in that some Jews attend services only on those days and little or not at all during the rest of the year, so demand is high and space limited. Most congregations give out tickets to their members to insure that they may attend. As space permits, nonmembers may also get tickets, with those who can afford so paying for them and those who cannot getting them for free.

It's really not as shocking as some folks here are making it.

[ufopp]

11:12 AM on 09/28/2011

God certainly works in mysterious financial ways as well.

[Notsurprisedanymore]

10:57 AM on 09/28/2011

What a surprise! I never knew..tickets to attend a service. I am just flabbergasted as my grandma would say...left speechless over this.

[GraphicMatt]

12:11 PM on 09/28/2011

Not just any service, High Holiday services. Big difference.

[brooklyncitizen]

10:29 PM on 09/28/2011

but membership dues to attend year round

[Cindy Tregan]

01:42 PM on 09/29/2011

I grew up Xtian. I'm not anymore. But when I was small, we had a small church with a lot of young families in membership. At Xmas time, the children would participate in the "Service" on Xmas eve - and of course all the grandparents and extended family and neighbors, etc, wanted to come and see little Mary being Mary in the Nativity scene...

And yes - they sold tickets to this - parents got 2 free, one for mom, one for Dad, so that everyone had an equal chance to participate. It is not unheard of.

I suspect that this is the equivalent of what some Lutherans call "Christandeasters" - Christmas and Easter only attendees. Church is jam-packed with folks wanting to get their biannual Jesus fix.

Maybe it's easier to understand if you realize it seems they only "charge" tickets to what we could consider "RoshandKippurs"?

[Sam D man]

09:34 AM on 09/28/2011

In Unions you have to Pay to Work; In Politics you have to Pay to Play; In Religion you have to Pay to Pray; Thats a lowdown derrty Shame ?

[Gui Montag]

09:55 AM on 09/28/2011

The more you pray the less than they go.

[checkmoot]

09:24 AM on 09/28/2011

I never realized that being Jewish was like being a sports fan. You are actually supposed to buy a season ticket to attend religious services ?

[Gui Montag]

09:55 AM on 09/28/2011

Just High Holiday services. Not all of them.

[enderM]

11:06 AM on 09/29/2011

well, if that is an attempt at humor…i guess it is mildly amusing…albeit completely misinformed.

should i say that i never realized that being christian is like being a cash register…
you are actually supposed to put your hand in your pocket and contribute every time
the plate/basket comes around during each mass/service?
so you must fill the plate/basket to attend religious services?

[checkmoot]

01:39 PM on 09/29/2011

Nope. That's voluntary, you don't have to buy a ticket to get in the door.